Rating: 
Summary: One of the Great Films of the 1980s
Review: Movie musicals had fallen out of favor by the 1980s, but there were still two that belong on the list of the decade's 10 best: Franco Zefferelli's breathtakingly colorful revision of
Verdi's La Traviata, starring Teresa Status and Placido Domingo. The other is Jonathan Demme's hip, fast-paced and creative documentary, Stop Making Sense. Shot over several days during live concerts at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, the movie brilliantly captures the creativity of David Byrne and the members of his 1980s band, the Talking Heads. Stop Making Sense grows from a bare stage, with Byrne alone, except for an acoustic guitar and a boom box, performing "Psycho Killer," to a full-fledged concert, with the entire band, including Tina Weymouth's other band, the Tom Tom Club. Things really get rockin' when Byrne and Tom Tom Club roar into "Burnin' Down the House," during "Take Me to the River, " and especially when Byrne, a consummate showman, dons his "big suit," which he wears for much of the film's second half. Stop Making Sense is a masterpiece of film editing, too. There is none of the backstage babble one would expect from a concert film, and it's tightly put together. Only Woodstock captures the raw essence of the rock concert better than this does. Stop Making Sense is one of the great film of the 1980s.
Rating:
Summary: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Concert Experience
Review: Perhaps I'm in the minority, but I find the manic camera movements and rapid-fire edits exhibited in the overwhelming majority of music videos and concert movies not only to be headache-inducing but detrimental to the underlying performance. Instead of focusing on the quality of the music being played and the musician's presentation, the viewer inevitably becomes distracted by the show-offy angles and technical gimmicks. What this approach ultimately reveals is the director's lack of confidence both in the performance's ability to stand on its own and in the viewer's ability to focus for more than a few seconds at a time. It's as if the makers envision their product being viewed predominantly by an audience of attention-deficient fidgeters who are hopped up on Jolt Cola. A stunning exception to this trend is Stop Making Sense--the majestic concert movie featuring the Talking Heads (circa 1983) and directed by Jonathan Demme ("Silence of the Lambs," "Philadelphia"). Demme has the good sense (not to mention, humility) to realize that the music and stage presence of the Talking Heads--and especially the band's leader, David Byrne--are more than capable of carrying the film. Instead of injecting himself clumsily into the proceedings, Demme unobtrusively and effectively captures the amazing music, the spare but striking imagery, and the unrestrained energy of a Talking Heads show. And, oh, what a show it is! The concert begins with David Byrne performing a hypnotic, stripped-down version of "Psycho Killer," featuring only Byrne's acoustic guitar and pre-recorded beats played on a boombox. From the moment we first see Byrne on stage--his head bobbing with each beat and looking equal parts stylish, nerdy, and eerie--his mesmerizing stage presence is immediately apparent and becomes the focal point of the film. Following this stunning opener, Byrne is joined by an additional band member for each subsequent song until the line-up is fully fleshed out. This simple yet innovative device builds the excitement slowly so that by the time the full band belts out "Burning Down the House" and "Life During Wartime," the viewer is about ready to jump out his skin and dance around the living room (or whatever room the DVD is playing in). Each of the songs in the concert is excellently arranged and expertly played, outshining by far their studio versions (which is saying something). And the joy and energy with which the songs are played become contagious. (I dare you to try and sit still through the entire film.) Subtle lighting and scenery changes ensure that each song has its own distinctive look and feel. Some of the Talking Heads' lesser-known songs stand out as some of movie's best: "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel," "Found a Job," "Making Flippy Floppy," and "This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)" are each remarkable. Other stand-outs include "Once in a Lifetime," "Slippery People," "Swamp," and "Take Me to the River." Through it all, Demme's steady camerawork documents the unbounded excitement of the concert without intruding upon it with excessive quick-cuts, annoying audience reaction shots, and backstage interviews. Demme's greatest gift to the audience is that we don't even realize he's there. Stop Making Sense is the best concert film ever made and gives Hard Day's Night a run for its money as best rock-n-roll movie of all-time. This is one raucous musical celebration you won't want to miss.
Rating:
Summary: Always making sense
Review: I love this concert film since I first saw it when I was fifteen years old (that is in 1983). I was in love with this group from the time I saw the film. They have been my favorite band and David is fantastic. This is a must for anyone who likes the TH's. I can not wait to get my copy!!
Rating:
Summary: A Postmodern Cinematic Catharsis Narrative
Review: According to the commentary track included with this DVD, David Byrne may be considered to be the central character in this Talking Heads concert documentary. In the course of the film's 90 minute duration, he is transformed as "a stiff white guy who sheds his inhibitions, gets loose and lets go. He is both changed by the music and set free." The concert starts on a bare 60 by 40 foot stage with a solo performance of "Psycho Killer" and then slowly adds both equipment and musicians during the first five songs. By the sixth song, "Burning Down the House", nine musicians are present and will remain fully engaged for the next 10 tracks. Three additional tracks are included on the DVD as a bonus. Seven cameras are used to record the performance, with much of the footage being shot from the perspective of the audience. Indeed, the viewer of the documentary is made to feel that they are witnessing a live event. The director takes great pains to record the artists not just as musicians, but also as "characters" with their own individual performance personalities. The stage is lit solely by white lighting, with both the type and positioning of the lights permitting an amazing visual variation. Backlit slide photography of both text and representational images are sometimes used in the stage design as well. The title, "Stop Making Sense", refers to David Byrne's approach to writing song lyrics during the early 1980's. His lyrics are often irrational and illogical, not making sense from one line to the next, yet they still tend to remain both intuitive and emotionally involving. "Stop Making Sense" is resplendent in its entertaining divergence from the commonplace. Watch, listen and be moved by its wonderfully liberating creative energy!
Rating:
Summary: I got Happy Feet!
Review: I've loved Talking Heads since about 1977 when Talking Heads '77 came out, after More Songs about Buildings and Food came out in 1978 I was hooked. This DVD is a wonderful performance video directed by Jonathan Demm. It starts out with Byrne walking out alone on the stage, with a small ghetto blaster and his acoustic guitar to accompany him. The bass player joins him on the next song and so on and so on till the stage has a full compliment of performers. The effect is wonderful, and if you have feet, they will be very happy by the third song when the drummer joins in. There is a great feeling of growing enthusiasm as members of the troupe add themselves to the mix. If you've seen the original video, and have a DVD player with surround sound; this will be an upgraded experience musically and visually. The 5.1 Dolby Digital is very clean and well mixed, and it sounds impressive in stereo 2.0 Dolby on my old Sansui's, and newer Bose Bookshelf Speakers. (one reviewer mentioned PCM Stereo as an option?) Somehow I've managed to never see this video before, but after a friend raved about it being his favorite music performance video and it being directed by Jonathan Demme etc etc etc, I ordered it from Amazon.com. It is a "must have" if you like Talking Heads. The assortment of songs they perform is fairly definitive and presented in a satisfying order. My only complaint with the whole presentation is the lack of one of my favorite pieces, "Artists Only", from More Songs about Buildings and Food. The artist choices; from lighting, to set design, to costume and hair are all very effective individually, yet add up to a greater whole. The direction is simplistic in it's approach, eliminating distracting jump-cuts to close-ups and audience shots. The camera concentrates on the performers and lets them be the stars in this show. There is no lack of motion on this stage, everyone is dancing and jumping to the music in the apparent joy they are sharing while making this. Their enthusiasm is contagious! This is now added to my growing list of favorite music DVD's; some of which include: Blondie Live in New York, Santana's Supernatural Live, Stevie Ray Vaughn Live at the El Mocambo, the Offspring's "Huck it!", and Steely Dan's "Two Against Nature". 5 stars! ... Check it out!
Rating:
Summary: Greatest of its genre
Review: I first saw this at a party and was just blown away. Afterwords I figured that the movie was so great because I was drunk and there were a lot of cannabanoid molecules in the atmosphere. However, I saw the DVD again when I was of a completely straight mind and the affect was the exact same. I was just as mesmorized by the music and movements of David Byrne as I was at the party. This is no mere concert, it is the best piece of musical entertainment ever filmed. I say that because I wasn't too found of the parts of Woodstock where the camera would focus on the audience for long periods of time (except when the women were bathing) where as, while you certainly are aware of it, the audience is never visually acknowlledged in Stop Making Sence so there is no doubt that you don't miss any action. If you haven't experienced it then do so. Though, if by some miracle you don't like it, make sure you don't pass that judgement before you see Life During Wartime (obviously my personal favorite). What else can be said?
Rating:
Summary: Timeless music!
Review: I was a fan when this "movie" came out and always have been. When I saw this come out on DVD, I thought, what the heck, I'll order it. Wow, was I ever surprised! I have a pretty good surround sound system but was totally unprepared for the quality of this recording when brought into the new millenium. I listed to this in the days of vinyl or on the radio and was more than pleased at how well this transferred over to digital format. David Byrne sounds great but is even better to watch. I have no idea where he gets his energy. An interesting discovery: I like to entertain friends and family with music and most definitely like to give them the visual effects that go along with video concerts like this. What I was surprised about was how everyone responded when I put this DVD on. Those who were already fans loved it, those who never heard of Talking Heads were blown away by the music put out by these guys as well as how dynamic they are in concert. If you have any questions on whether or not to buy this, then I have your answer - DON'T hesitate, get it now, you won't be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: I was NOT a Talking Heads fan. But I am now.
Review: Director Jonathan Demme's STOP MAKING SENSE, listed by Entertainment Weekly as one of the Essential Independent Films when they produced that list years ago, has been called, by others, the greatest rock concert films of all time. Better than THE LAST WALTZ. Better than WOODSTOCK. After seeing it, not really knowing much about the quirky, catchy pop music of David Byrne and his brood, the band and the film won me over. The film starts, like the concert, with a bare stage. David Byrne walks out, alone, with his guitar and a radio. Within moments of beginning "Psycho Killer," Byrne's tripping all over the stage, falling all over himself, stumbling into the edges of the film frame. With that, he begins to show some individual, I-am-not-a-rock-star personality. When the staging does come, when the band joins in the fun, that personality expands. And when it comes time for the giant suit, this film's more than just a concert. It's become a story. The story of the band, the story in the lyrics and a commentary on how abstract visual art and obscure, obtuse music can interact. Demme never shows the audience through the film, though you can hear them, for the film is just about the band, the stage. It's not about the reaction they get. It's fascinating, and you'll find yourself a fan of Byrne's music, as a result.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe later...
Review: David Byrne self-interviews himself nice. It's good to feel nice. You laugh. The video will make you good to feel nice...and then cry. Because you feel video to feel nice. Does anybody have any questions? I have a tape to play for you...To feel nice. Do you know what I'm trying to say? Thanks, Toe Knee
Rating:
Summary: Great Stuff
Review: You won't find a better DVD that is focused on a concert than this one. Those people in the audience were very lucky to have been there for this concert.
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